I want to briefly share my experience. Five years after leaving HQ and beginning a ministry which includes only our family, God has revealed many things to me. I think the main thing I have learned has been the importance of my personal relationship with my God – which in reality has nothing to do with my outward ‘spiritual’ activities. (This may seem like a cliche –or really obvious to some.) But, when I found myself without even one other person to talk and share with, I didn’t know what to do and I entered a very dark and difficult time spiritually.
But, God used this darkness to reveal how little I knew Him. I knew about Him plenty. But not Him. At that time, all that was before me was my family. So, I committed myself to being a full time mom. And I must say it has been a time to treasure. I struggled with guilt because I felt as though I was living a ‘family-centered’ life (a UBFism). But it has been an amazing experience and I am so thankful that God gave me this time to spend with my kids–watching them grow –and can I just say how amazing it is how FAST they grow?
Throughout this time, God has helped me begin a new journey to know Him –not through many activities – but by just studying His word and spending time with Him. [I am not advocating stopping outward activities–just sharing my experience.] One turning point was participating in a local Bible study where many of the women in my small group were older – mostly grandmothers. They shared their love for God with me. They shared the pain they experience because some of their kids don’t know the Lord. They encouraged me when I struggled with my own spiritual life as well as raising our kids. It was clearly Titus 2:3-5 playing out in my life. I am so thankful for God’s intervention in my life.
Not sure if this will be helpful to anyone. But, I wanted to share the way that God has been working in and around me!! Much love and blessing to all!!
]]>Much like our finances – if we don’t have a time budget we are in danger of feeling out of control and chaotic and horrible all the time. My thinking is you need to come up with a budget, or a division of your time and effort, that you truly believe is serving all areas of your life in a healthy and God-fearing way. When you reach that balance, and you believe God has helped you reach it, you will have peace and can go on without fear, guilt, or duty. You will reach a new level of freedom.
Anyone else have any wisdom on this one?
]]>I am glad you found some help and comfort in God’s word.
]]>Thankfully the Lord has provided his Supper in the right time for me. We don’t do it much in Chicago, though I wish we did. When we do have communion I realize how much I need it and how restorative it is. How often to you have communion in your neck of the woods?
]]>Can you explain what you mean by partaking in the Lord’s supper? Is it only an Easter thing? Where did you do it? Sounds very interesting.
]]>Tunde – I agree. Things would be better without the pendulum. But God is good, and grows us into His servants through all things. I like your analog to digital reference, things will definitely be clearer then. Thanks for the post.
]]>St. John of the Cross perhaps calls this Undulation “The Dark Night of the Soul.”
A favorite verse of mine during Undulation might be Genesis 50:20. Check out this post: http://benjamintoh.posterous.com/a-pinnacle-of-old-testament-and-new-testament
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